Milford teen Jackson Mann launches charity conservation card game Save Our Species with help from World Wildlife Fund

A TEENAGE conservationist from Milford has dreamed up a new card game to support global efforts to save wildlife.

Jackson Mann (15) invented the Save Our Species (SOS) game after being inspired by a family trip to Costa Rica three years ago.

Now he has joined forces with major charity the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop it for international production, with a pledge that 100% of profits will go to conservation groups.

Today (Wednesday) nature-loving Jackson is launching a Kickstarter campaign to secure the £8,000 needed to finance an initial production run in June.

Supporters can pledge £19 for a first edition of the game with another option to buy signed copy for £33.

Jackson said: “SOS is one way younger generations can help make a difference. They’ll discover fun facts about nature and wildlife, the threats they face and ways to protect them.”

Suitable for two to five players, participants must create better ecosystems by learning about new species, building biomes and saving habitats.

Jackson said: “The concept is about protecting nature. Aside from raising money for conservation work, it's also really import to raise awareness amongst my generation.

“If people were engaged in the natural world as much as they are in poker and Pokémon, we could make a positive impact."

With a recent United Nations report indicating nature is declining at the fastest rate in human history, Jackson hopes his game can help inspire a new generation of explorers, naturalists and protectors who can work together to reverse the destruction.

Jackson’s mum Emma said: “Our ambitions are high – we want to sell the card game all over the world and raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to support international conservation work, whilst also increasing awareness of habitat loss and species extinction.”

During the game each player competes to create a biome – a combination of matching species and habitat cards.

However, events cards such as wildfires and floods can also be played to destroy habitats.

Jackson worked with Rachel Cox, senior new product development manager at WWF-UK to fine-tune his ideas ahead of production.

She said: “Everyone at WWF involved has been so impressed with Jackson’s knowledge of species and habitats. It’s inspiring to see how he’s turned his passion into action.

“We really hope this game shows young people the wonders of nature, with amazing pictures of different habitats from around the world and the fascinating WWF facts about different species.”

As well as showcasing international conservation sites, Jackson has taken inspiration closer to home with the Lymington Keyhaven Salt Marsh included with a future plan to develop a UK version of the game.

Emma said: “We are incredibly proud of Jackson – he had this idea when he was 12 and has continued to work on it for three years to reach this point.”

As part of the production process Jackson’s family have founded Wild Dog Games which he hopes to develop as a resource for conservation information and inspiration.

All profits from game sales will go to charity. Donate to the kickstarter at bit.ly/3vlA6Nh

For more information visit www.wilddoggames.org